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Indian governments are one step away from gaining full control over oil and gas development on their lands after meeting with the minister of Indian Affairs, following an all Chiefs meeting on March 6 at the Edmonton Inn.

An Indian oil and gas task force set up last year to look into the existing level of service provided by the federal government to Indian bands with current and potential resources presented it's report to Indian Affairs Minister Bill McKnight at the Chiefs assembly.

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Stan Plante, president of Local 1885 in Edmonton, believes his intent has been misconstrued. A story carried in Windspeaker indicates he blamed the formation of new locals in the city for the low turnout at his group's annual assembly and that unity will eventually suffer. Since the story ran, he has clarified his position, saying he is all for the formation of new locals in the city, even if membership in his own local is taxed. He feels if more locals in the ciety will encourage greater participation amongst the Metis population, then so be it.

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Ottawa, Ontario

The Inuit Broadcasting Corporation has received a $2.2-million boost from the Secretary of State to produce Inuktituk television programming for Inuit viewers in the Arctic.

"The Inuit Broadcasting Corporation is providing an essential media service. Without it there would be no Native language television service in the Arctic and that is why I am pleased to support this project," said Secretary of State Minister David Crombie.

Joe Blyan, a self-described "war horse" within the Metis movement, became president of Metis Local 97 (Cromdale area) by acclamation March 25.

The former interim president now has a firm mandate to lead his membership and says a first priority is to set up a store front office to help people in the area and make Native people aware of the local.

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A Metis family is still waiting "patiently" for housing officials to begin repairs on a home they were evicted from last January.

"I'm willing to wait for as long as it takes. I've been patient for nine years," says Louise Gardiner, who has been waiting to meet with housing officials since the home was inspected Feb. 16.

So far, Gardiner says she has received a draft copy of the inspection report which outlines recommendations to fix problems in the house which caused the basement to continually flood and the sewage system to back up.

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A $2.7-million expansion project will begin this spring at Nakoda Lodge, a conference and cultural meeting center on the Good Stoney reserve near Morley, west of Calgary.

Expansion includes a development of a 50-unit motel, as well as a proposed swimming pool, exercise room, steam room, whirlpool and sauna.

"We're still in the planning stage and we will have to study the feasibility of some of the facilities like a swimming pool," says lodge manager Ian Getty.

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A new school, a hockey arena, and cultural center are all part of construction activities either taking place or in the planning stages on the Kehewin reserve.

"There's always something going onwe'd like to keep it that way," says Gordon Gadwa, elected chief for the fourth time in a row March 16.

"We've been given the green light" to plan a second school for the reserve and he says he hopes construction will commence by late fall or early spring of next year.

Despite having an "out of service" telephone, the Native Council of Canada (Alberta), NCC(A), office is still open for business.

"The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated," jokes president Doris Ronnenberg, quoting American writer Mark Twain.

Telephone services to the office were cut off by Edmonton Telephone about four weeks ago over an outstanding amount of $3,000 in third party long distance calls.

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Lubicon band Chief Bernard Ominayak is encouraged by the provincial government's change in attitude to support the band in its struggle to press the federal government to settle the 48-year-old land claim.

"The attitude of the Alberta government in the past has been (one) of strong opposition. Now the premier wants to try and encourage the federal government to settle with us," said Ominayak after meeting with Premier Don Getty March 30.

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The first in a possible series of conferences developed by Native parents for Native parents will be held April 7-9 at the Enoch reserve recreation center.

The Hon. Nancy Betkowski, minister of education, will open the conference which will open the conference which features the theme, Parents in Native Education, Yesterday ? Today ? Tomorrow.